Scaffolding



Jan. 112, 1954 Filed March 17. 1949 J. s. BOBST SCAFFOLDING 6Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS J. S. BOBST SCAF'FOLDING Jan, 12 1954 FiledMarch 17, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS J. S. BQBST SCAFF'OLDING Jan.12 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 17, 1949 INVENTOH ATTORNEYS J. S.BOBST SCAFFOLDING Jan. 1-2, T1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 17, 1949INVENTOR ATTORNEYS,

Jan. 12, 1954 J. s. BOBST 2,65,9

SCAFFOLDING Filed March 17. 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l I l ATTORNEYS o J.S. BOBST SCAFF'OLDING Jan. 12, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 17,1949 ATTORNEYS,

Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES P TENT QFFICE SCAFFOLDING Joseph S.Bobst, Waukesha, Wis.

Application March 17, 1949, Serial No. 81,925

2 Claims.

This invention relates to scaffolding. The main object of the inventionis to provide improved scaffolding of novel form and arrangement, andpossessing the characteristics of safety, speed in erection anddismantling, and increased adjustability.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal view of scaifolding constructedin accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the transverseconstruction.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail plan view showing the connection betweenthe transvers brace members.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section longitudinally of the connection betweenthe ends of the brace members and the ladders.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the connection shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6-B of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a detail fragmentary side elevation of the connectionbetween the longitudinal brace members.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the connection of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a transverse section through the connection of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail section through the connection betweensuperposed ladders.

Figure 11 is a section taken on line Ii-H of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspect1ve view of one end of a plank.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspect1ve View of one end of a deck trussthat supports the planking.

Figure 14 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of ladderbracing.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of a brace usedin the form of Figure 14. t

Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspect1ve view :of the other end of saidbrace.

'Figure 17 is a fragmentary top plan view of the connection between thebraces of Figure 14.

Figure 18 is a longitudinal section through a modified truss andassociated ladders.

Figure 19 is a transverse section on line i9|9 of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a top plan View of the deck truss illustrated in Figure 18.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a modified form ofconnection between braces and ladders.

Figure 22 is a top plan view of another modified scaffoldingarrangement.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of decktruss used in the form of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is an enlarged detail section on line 24-24 of Figure 23.

Figure 25 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modifiedconnection between a ladder and brace.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 5 and 6 designate vertical supportshere shown as lad ders of tubular construction throughout. Referring toFigure 2, a ladder 5 is paired with and spaced transversely from aladder 5. Then, said pairs are spaced longitudinally of the scaffolding(see Figure 1).

The ladders 5, 6 of each pair are X-braced by the crossed brace membersi, 8 extending transversely of the scaffolding. The medial portions ofthe brace members 7, 8 are flattened (see Figure 3) and pivotallyconnected by bolt 9.

The ends of the X-brace defined by members 1, 8 are detachably connectedto the ladders 5, B.

, These end connections are clearly shown in Figures 4 to 6. A collar H]is slidable on the end of the brace member as shown in the full line anddotted line positions, respectively, of Figure 4. Collar 10 is formedwith an apertured oflset H adapted to receive the free end of an arcuatetongue l2 that extends around a selected rung l3 of the ladder. Theother end of the tongue I2 is pivotally connected by hinge pin Hi to theear l5 rigidly secured, as by welding, to the end of the brace member.

By sliding the collar I0 inwardly, the free end of tongue I2 isreleased, permitting the tongue to be swung outwardly, thereby detachingthe end of the brace member from the rung I3.

. The scaffolding is also braced longitudinally (Figure l) by adjustableX-bracing extending between ladders 5 of adjacent pairs. Saidlongitudinal X-bracin'g comprises brace sections Hi,v

[1, I8, and i9. Members 16, i? define one X- brace member and members18, I9 define the other X-brace member.

The longitudinal X-bracing can be adjusted in lengths so as to space theladders of adjacent pairs closer or further apart as desired. This wouldalso be true of the ladders 6 of adjacent pairs, of course, which wouldalso be braced longitudinally. The connection of the brace sectionswhereby said adjustment is effected is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9. Apair of sleeves 20 are welded in longitudinally contacting relation.Slidable in one sleeve 20 is the inner end of brace section it. Slidablein the other sleeve 20 is the inner end of brace section 11-. Anotherpair of sleeves 21 is also provided, said sleeves 21 also being securedtogether in longitudinal contact. One sleeve 2! receives the inner endof brace section 18 which slides therethrough. The other sleeve 2 l resceives the inner end of brace section l9, also slidable in the sleeve.

The pair of sleeves 20 is welded to a plate 22--' and the sleeves 21 arewelded to a plate 23 spaced from plate 22 by washer 24, and a pin 25extend-'- ed between the plates and-permits relative pivotal movementbetween the pairs of sleeves.

Assuming that the bracemembers I6, I! or iii, 19' as the case" may be,have been slidably adjusted within their respective sleeves, pins 26 canbe" dropped in registering. openings 21' that are spaced longitudinallyof the respective brace members. A rigid X-brace of adjusted length. isaccordingly provided.

The ends of the brace members are flattened and pins or studs 28arewelded thereto. Said studs 23 are adapted to be extended throughregistering apertures in the'ends of the ladders so as to provide adetachable pivotal connection be tween the ends of the brace members andsaid ladders.

Tubular connecting sleeves 29 are extended into the ends of the ladders,to receive the lower ends of ladders immediately thereabove, as bestseen in Figures and 11. Said connecting sleeves have openings thatregister with the openings of the ladders to receive the studs 28. Theconnecting sleeves2'9 can be welded in the ends of the ladders, or moreproperly, one end of each ladder, so as to receive slidably the adjacentends of the ladders next above.

I believe it should also be noted at. this point that in place of themembers i and 8 used to X- brace the scaffolding transversely, X-bracingconstructed along the lines of the X-brace illustrated in Figure l andcomprising members I6, 11, i8, and I9 can be employed. As a result,adjustment of the scafiolding can be made not only longitudinallythereof, but also transversely, so-

that the scaffolding can be not only of selected length, but also, ofselected width.

From what has been so far described, it may be noted that thescafiolding permits the erection at spaced intervals of verticalsupports, with said supports being braced transversely andlongitudinally of the scafiolding, in a manner permitting adjustment of'the scafiolding as to width and length, and also as to height, sinceanynumber of ladders can be arranged in superposed arrangement.

Considering now the horizontal supports, or decking, of the scaffolding,I provide in the form of Figures 1 and 2 a deck truss comprisingarectangular tubular frame generally designated. 30. Said rectangulardeck truss 30 includes the sad.- dl'es. 3L. Eachof said saddles 3-! ineffect com.- prises a sleeve that is cut away longitudinally as bestseen from Figure 13. In any event, said. saddles are secured to theunderside of the deck truss, at or adjacent its ends,..as by welding or4 the like, and are adapted to fit ovr selected rungs l3 of the ladders5, 6.

Extended downwardly from the medial portion of each saddle 31 is adepending stud or drop pin 32, that is rigidly secured within thesaddle, and which is adapted to be dropped into suitable openings formedin the rungs l3. As a result, the deck truss is removably but securelymounted upon the ladders.

To reinforce. the deck truss, Ibrace it transversely by means of thecross bars 33, having their ends welded to the longitudinal members ofthe deck truss. I also brace the deck truss longitudinally, by means ofthe brace member 34 that extends under the cross bars 33 and has itsends welded to the. ends of the deck truss. The crossingportionsof thecross bars 33 and the longitudinal bracemember 34 are also weldedtogether.

Thevarious deck trusses used in a scaffolding would of course bedisposed parallel when the scaffolding is mounted; and: extendingbetween the parallel deck trussesare-the planks 35. Each plank hassecured to its underside cleats 36 which can be formed of angle iron'material, and which are adapted to engage: behind the deck trusslongitudinal members, so as toprevent lengthwise movement of theplanking. Some of the planks additionally, are provided with recesses37, 38, so as to fit around the vertical supports or ladders (see Figure2).

Preferably, and as best seen from Figure 2, the deck trusses are formedwith extensions that project beyond the ladders on at least one side ofthe scafiolding, and on these extensions are mounted planks 35, wherebythe artisans working upon the scaffolding are enabled to move directlyup against the building or other structure on which they are working.

Referring now to Figure 14, thereis here illustrated a modifiedarrangement of ladder bracing which also permits theladders to be spacedadjustably both transversely and longitudinally of the scaffolding. Inthe form of Figure 14, the ladders 39 are braced in spaced relation bycrossing brace members 40 and crossing brace members' 4|. The uppermembers 40 are pivotally connected by means of pins 42 (see Figure 17),and crossing members 4| are pivotally connected by pins or bolts 43. Themembers 40 have longitudinally spaced apertures 44, so that the bolt 42can be extended throughany registered pairJof apertures, thus to adjustthe members 40 relative to each other. For example, members it can be.

connected so as to assume the full line positions of" Figure 14; in thisposition, ladders 39 are spaced a considerable distance apart. Byselecting another pair of apertures 44,.the members 40 can be adjustablyand pivotally connected so as to bring the ladders 39 closer together,as may be noted by'referring to the. dotted line positions of Figure 14.

The same is true of the lower members 41, which are equipped with thelongitudinally spaced apertures 45 any selected pair of which canreceive the bolt 43. The inner end of one member 40 is pivotally andpermanently connected to the inner end of one member 41, and the innerend of the other. member 40 is. also similarly. connected to the othermember. 4|. This is.- accomplished in the-present instance by welding tothe members 40 the U-shaped rods 4?, that are interlocked with. theU-shaped rods 48 welded to the members 4|.

The outer. ends of the members 40, M are piv otally connected to theopposite ends of the respective ladders, and this can be accomplished byflattening said outer ends, and extending laterally of the fiat portionsthereof the threaded studs 46 receivable in the openings at the ends ofthe ladders 39.

In Figures 18 to 20 I have illustrated another modified form, showing analternate type of deck truss. Transverse saddles are welded to theunderside of the rectangular deck truss frame 5 I, and said saddles 50are adapted to be removably seated over the rungs 49 of upstandingspaced ladders. The rectangular frame 5| is in the present instanceformed with a single medially disposed cross bar 52 having its endswelded to the underside of the frame for the purpose of reinforcing it,and a longitudinal brace 53 has its ends welded to the ends of therectangular frame, said brace 53 being slightly bent so as to pass underthe cross bar 52. The crossing portions of the members 52 and 53 arewelded.

Considering Figure 19, it may be noted that threaded studs 54 areextended laterally from opposite sides of the longitudinal brace member53, these passing through apertures in the flattened ends of anglebraces 55. Braces 55 have their other ends connected to selected rungsof the spaced ladders by means of the removable connections 56 formed inthe manner hereinbefore described.

In Figure 21, I have illustrated a modified form of connection betweenthe ends of any of the various X-brace or angle members described above.In this illustration, the bracing members are designated 60 and have theusual lateral studs received in ears 59 welded to the sides of ladders58. Ladders 58 are disposed in superposed relation as has previouslybeen described, being connected in the manner illustrated in Figure 10.

Considering now the modified form illustrated in Figures 22 to 24, saidmodification is particularly intended to permit the setting up of rampeddecks. In this form, deck trusses are provided that are extendedhorizontally of the scaffolding, but which are disposed on edge, so tospeak, as best seen from Figure 23 in which such a deck truss is shownin side elevation. A deck truss is here illustrated that includes theparallel longitudinal members 6: braced by the cross brace 62 andtransversely extended angle braces 53. Members 6| are of tubularconstruction.

Welded to the undersides of the respective members are longitudinallyspaced saddles 64, these saddles differing from the saddles hereinbeforedescribed in that they are very short as best seen from Figure 24. Thesaddles 64 are adapted to seat over rungs 65 of ladders 66.

Slidably mounted in the opposite ends of each deck truss are theU-shaped extensions 61. Said extensions 6'! have a sliding fit in theends of the tubular members GI, and, after having been adjustedlongitudinally of the members 6| a selected distance, are securedtherein by means of the cross pins 68.

Thus, the length of each deck truss is adapted to be adjusted asdesired.

Extending downwardly from the medial portion of each deck truss is ancar 69 which can be welded or otherwise fixedly connected to the decktruss, and said ear is apertured to receive the pivotal connections 70with the ends of the angle brace members H, the other ends of which, aswill be understood, are removably secured to the spaced ladders 66.

The arrangement illustrated in Figures 22 to 24, as will be noted,permits the deck truss to be ramped. This is achieved by tilting thedeck truss upon its pivotal connection 10, so that one end of the decktruss may engage a higher rung of a ladder than the other end of thedeck truss. Then, planking 12 can be extended between deck trusses atopposite sides of the scaffolding, as best seen from Figure 22.

With respect to the matter of ramping the decks, the truss illustratedin Figure 18 also has particular applicability for this purpose. In thisinstance, the truss is literally pivoted upon the studs 54 so that thesaddle 50 at one end of the truss is permitted to seat upon a selectedrung of one ladder, which may be higher than the rung of the laddersupporting the other end of the deck truss. In connection with the formof Figure 18, it may be noted that the deck truss has the extension 51to permit the artisans to work close to the building.

In all the forms of the invention, there is believed to be the commoncharacteristic of complete adjustability of the scaffold as to width,length, or height to meet a particular condition in the construction ofa building or other structure. At the same time, the scaffolding has thecharacteristic in each form of the invention of permitting the decks tobe set up at selected elevations. Additionally, the decks can be rampedwhere necessary or desired.

In Figure 25, a modified connection between a ladder and brace isillustrated. The ladder 13 has rungs 14, each of which is formedmedially with a vertical opening for receiving a drop pin '15 thatextends through the flattened end 16 of a brace 11. Brace 11 is boltedas at 18 to the under side of a deck truss 19. Brace 11 is of coursecapable of being pinned to any selected rung 74, because each rung willhave a vertical opening for receiving the pin 15.

Further important characteristics are believed to reside in the variousforms of the invention, in that the scaffolding in each instance iscapable of being speedily erected or disassembled. In its erectedcondition, the scaffolding is believed to be of considerable strength,being effectively braced both transversely and longitudinally, with saidbracing in all instances being adjustable as stated.

What is claimed is:

1. A scalfold comprising spaced elongated substantially verticalladders, a pair of elongated extensible crossed braces extending betweenthe ladders, one cross brace being connected to a ladder adjacent thelower end thereof and to an adjacent ladder adjacent the upper endthereof, the other cross brace being connected to the first mentionedladder adjacent the upper end thereof and to the second mentioned ladderadjacent the lower end thereof, each cross brace comprising a pair ofelongated brace bars each having a longitudinal row of longitudinallyspaced openings extending transversely therethrough, a joined pair ofelongated parallel sleeves mounted on and encircling each pair of bracebars adjacent the ends thereof remote from the ladders, and pinsextending through registering openings in the brace bars adjacentopposite ends of the sleeves for holding the crossed braces in selectedextended positions.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the pairs of sleeves arepivotally connected to.. gether to prevent separation of the crossedbraces between the ladders and allow the crossed braces 7 to awmamsiiiiszrem msular nQsitisms'mlafie to Number H 1,003,4 JOSE H'S; OBSFJ1,776,565 ,830,017 fieimt nc s Cit d in. h file of tins patent 52,016,363 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,316,952 2,461,762 Number Name Date472,406 Smith Apr. 5, 1892 510,057 W i11i a. ms Dec. 5, 1893 10 Number975 241 Hlggms Nov. 8, 1910 75 991,565 valentine-n", May 9, 1911 8 NameDate Ah1:ams- Sept. 19, 1911 Morton Sept. 23, 1930 Dahlberg- Nov. 3,1931 Culotti Oct. 8, 1935 Halferty Apr. 20, 1943 ODonnell Feb. 15, 1949FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date- Great Britain Nov. 19, 1925

